Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-02-24
OGDEN, Utah. Feb. 1857.
The Leak in the Church Oil.
A TRUE STORY.

Johnnie Carr was bright, pleasant boy.
and a general favorite in the town where
he lived. His parents loved him very
much: but, like other boys, he had his
faults.
one was reluctant obedience. He always
intended to obey his father and mother,
but wanted to do it in his own time and
his own way.
One SATURDAY. afternoon, he was sent to
the store for oil His mother said
go straight there Johnnie, and don't
stop anywhere"
Johnnie promised; but on his way he
met Nicholas Barnes. called, for short,
Nick" He was new boy in town, and
had several times made good deal of
trouble for his folks. Johnnie had prom
ised not to have anything to do with Nick.
But Nick had met johnnie few days
before, and offered him some candy.
Johnnie took it, saying TO himself, Nick
is not so bad as some people think.
This time, Nick met him as If he had
been an old friend. asking, Where you
going?"
store for oil" replied Johnnie
How much money you got:'
Johnnie showed bright piece of silver.
.'Al that for oil:" asked Nick
Yes"
No change back? Not red Johnnie :.
Not a red" answered Johnnie
Nick thought moment, then began to
talk of something very different.
When are We going to have some
chocolate creamsE
Johnnie's mouth watered, for he was
very fond of that kind of confectionery
He sighed, as he said: Dunno. Money is
scarce down our way.
They were now nearing the church.
Lets sit down here on the Old South
steps, and talk it over" said Nick. Lets
see, treated on chocolates last time. Now
it's your turn"
Johnnie had no thought of that when he
accepted half the contents of the candy
bag For the first time, it dawned upor
him that Nick would expect him to return
the compliment. He said: Il dunno wheI
it'll be, Nick Pas sold one of his horses
cause he was short for money; he's going
to make one do all the work, so don
think I'll get much spending money this
summer"
Suddenly, queer look came over Nick:
face. He spoke quickly, but in low tone
You lust keep still a minute, Johnnie
| I'll tell you something
| He dashed away, without giving any III
formation. Johnnie kept still until he
was tired of it, and was about starting fol
the store, when Nick appeared, very muct
excited.
johnnie" he said, 1--WE can have some
chocolates to-day
How so!'
1T came into my head just now when
see the old sexton going down into th'
graveyard" said Nick. ''He's left th'
church open, the cellar doors unlocked
and there's whole barrel of Kerosene IL
there!'
| AS the plan flashed upon Johnnie's mind
| bis face grew very red. Nick did no
seem to notice this, and went on =
Lets fill the can; who'll know the diff
ference5 1 guess two quarts OF oil won
kill nobody
Johnnie was greatly shocked; but. be
fore he could speak, Nick disappeared will
the can. When he returned, it was full
| He passed it to Johnnie, who shrank back
ii can't take the oil, Nick. 1t don't be
long to me. It's stealing
Stealing, Oh, no." said Nick, slowly
Now, YOU look here. This oil belongs Il
the parish, and your pa is one of them. So
YOU see, a part Of this oil is his'n."
He stopped suddenly with look O
| fright. The old sexton was returning
Evidently. Nick thought his argumen
would not convince him; for he said hur
riedly:-
ut won't do for us to hang around her
any longer. He'll know the whole thing
Let's hide the can and have some fun vi
town"
As they went, Nick, seeing that Johnni
did not feel right about it, said =
.The South Church folks are rich a
mud. An old fellow died here once, an'
left them piles of money to run thing
with. So this oil don't come out O. them.
won't hurt them to give us little once Il
a while, as longs they got whole barrel
! II the sexton don't lock up the oil cellar